Historic West Village Building Is Evacuated

Published: June 7, 2003

About 20 residents of a landmark apartment building in the West Village were evacuated last night after it was discovered that part of its foundation wall had collapsed. The building, at 16 Charles Street near Waverly Place, is the former home of the poet Elizabeth Bishop.

Fire officials entered the building around 8:15 p.m. and told residents to evacuate. A three-foot-square section of the foundation wall, between 12 and 16 Charles Street, had fallen, said Deputy Fire Chief Richard Fuerch.

''We're trying to figure out where we're going to live tonight,'' said John Ford, a resident of the building. ''We have no idea at this point.''

The Red Cross was at the scene, helping people find places to stay.

Ilyse Fink, the spokeswoman for the Buildings Department, said that the structure, which has 16 apartments, 12 of which are occupied, was not in any danger of collapse and that a department engineer was on the way to inspect it early this morning. Inspectors believed last night that the wall collapse was caused by extensive rain recently, coupled with maintenance issues.